HLA-DR antigens and the antibody response against Epstein-Barr virus

Antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus(EBV) antigens, i.e. the viral capsid antigen(VCA) and the Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen(EBNA), were determined in two independent populations with known HLA-DRphenotypes. The first population consisted of 151 patients with rheumatoid arthritis; the second one of 88 healthy parents of leukemic children. Although the group of patients with rheumatoid arthritisdiffered significantly in the frequency of 4 DR antigensfrom the second group, both groups had the same correlation between HLA-DR antigensand the antibody response to EBV antigens. There was a significant correlation between HLA-DR1and reduced titersof antibodies to VCA, whereas the persons with only one identifiable DR antigenhad higher anti-VCA titers. The persons with HLA-DR5had significantly higher anti-EBNA titersthan those without DR5.